* Please note: we make our stuff sacs big enough to allow fairly easy stuffing rather than reducing the down gear to the tightest minimum.

Description

Part of the Desert Race Collection, designed with desert racing in mind. In the MdS 40°C race days can give way to 4°C nights in which warmth plays a vital role in recovery for the next day's challenge. Maximising these item's warmth/weight ratio has been central to developing this collection, to meet the needs of both elite competitors and those who simply want to finish.

The Desert Race Two has been developed especially for the Marathon des Sables and is an evolution of our popular Racebag design. It uses our new 7X (7 denier) fabric, our lightest-ever, and our exceptional 950 fillpower down. The design combines box-wall construction (which helps the down to achieve maximum loft) on the top of the bag, and stitch-through construction (to reduce weight) in the base. The Desert Race One is one of the lightest sleeping bags in the world: a serious option for racers in the Marathon des Sables looking to shave every gram.

New for 2016/7: a footzip option to allow air circulation around the feet.

The Race Stuff Sac is a race-specific Stuff Sac with attachment points to strap to the outside of a rucksack. It can be purchased separately or added to your order as an option.

As used by Ed Stafford.

Only available until 31st March.

Technical

Ultralight 7X fabric (weight: 22 gsm)

7X is our new sheer-light 7 denier fabric. An exquisitely fine rip-stop nylon, 7X is incredibly light, highly wind-resistant and has first-rate down proofing. This fabric helps us create the very lightest of gear in the PHD range. Of course the lighter the fabric the lighter the sleeping bag or down clothing, and the less space it takes up in your rucksack. This fabric is so light it actually helps to allow even greater lofting of the down too.
Order samples of this fabric & just pay the postage.

950 Fillpower Down

A newcomer to our range. European goose of rare quality. A high value alternative at the top levels of performance.
More on our down insulation.

Construction

This bag has an insulating straight wall baffle system on top (no straight-through stitching). Straight wall is the lightest of all baffle sytems. In cross section it looks like this:On the bottom stitch-through seams are used to minimise weight. More on sleeping bag construction.

Sizing

Lightweight Sleeping Bags Sizes

The measurements in the tables below are personal body measurements.

Length

Height

Short

168cm and below (5' 6" and below)

Standard

169 - 184cm (5' 7" - 6')

Long

185 - 201cm (6' 1" - 6' 7")

Extra Long

202 - 213cm (6' 8" - 7')

Width

Chest

Slim

78 - 92cm (31" - 36")

Standard

93 - 107cm (37" - 42")

Wide

108 - 125cm (43" - 49")

Extra Wide

126 - 142cm (50" - 56")

Reviews

Specific feedback on the Desert Race Two:

"Thanks for reaching out! I was overall extremely happy with the bag. Warmth worked super well for me, was never really cold (really closing the hood tight provided tons of extra protection from wind and in the end warmth) Outer material held up very well, no tears no problems at all. Overall super comfortable."
— Jurgen Eckel (2017 MdS competitor).

"I found the bag worked extremely well. The fit was brilliant no issues moving around in the bag, the foot zip helped add some additional ventilation on the really warm nights."
— Gaz Roberts (2017 MdS competitor).

"The Desert Race Bag was perfect. There is nothing I would change. It was extremely light but warm and very easy to stuff into whatever space was available in my pack. My only mistake was leaving it too late to purchase a jacket from you as well!!"— Rob Eustace (2017 MdS competitor).

"The bag was great. Weight and warmth were spot on. I think also I would in future opt for a half zip, as when it was hot it was a pain to have to shift halfway out of the bag."
— John Samuelson (2017 MdS competitor).

"The bags worked great thanks! The weight to heat ratio was excellent. Others with [other brand] bags were really cold in comparison. Good durability. I'd highly recommend the bags to others!"
— Michelle Smith (2017 MdS competitor).

"If anything, it was too warm! Others in my tent were complaining about the cold. Fabric held up well, despite dragging the foot box on the stony ground on occasion at nights when I shuffled down the tent. I had the elongated stuff sack which worked well - was very secure strapped to the bottom of my pack & I never worried about losing it. Excellent kit - well thought out & made."
— Andrew Bond (2017 MdS competitor).

Testimonials from PHD Customers on the Marathon des Sables using PHD sleeping bags:

"A quick note to say how impressive my PHD bag was in the Sahara on this year's Marathon des Sables. Quite simply the best piece of kit I've ever bought. Temperature with wind got below 5 Celsius and the bag handled it so well that I slept in the buff every-night! Many, many thanks."
— Ben Buckle.

"I would, without a doubt, use the PHD bag again. Quite simply, I don't think there's a better bag on the market for warm weather stage racing."
— Bryon Powell -- member of 1st American team to place in top 3 of the Marathon des Sables.

"The bag was great for Marathon des Sables and I was 8th overall and the best finish ever by an American (or English speaker from what I hear). Anyhow, I loved the bag and will recommend it." — Michael Wardian.

"Just to let you know that I finished the Marathon des Sables. As you know i bought your down sleeping bag, which was for sure the lightest in the whole race !!! and also during the nights i never feel cold !!! IT IS THE BEST PRODUCT I COULD EVER BOUGHT !!!! One more time ! THANKS THANKS THANKS.... YOU ARE THE BEST !!!"
— Miguel Vingardi.

"I have recently returned from successful completion of Marathon des Sables. Have to say I loved my PHD sleeping bag, great design, incredibly lightweight. I hate being cold and was worried about getting a good nights sleep in the desert - my PHD was like a comfort blanket, slept well at just the
right temperature. Can thoroughly recommend."
— Michaela McCallum.

"Thanks again for . . . the sleeping bag and [the] help I received from your staff in picking the right bag. The PHD bag was both light and very warm - just the thing for a multi-day event with desert nights [the Marathon des Sables - ed]." — Dr Ben Edwards, Senior lecturer, Research Institute for Sport, Liverpool John Moores University.

"I have been extremely impressed with this bag especially its lightness [it] was the envy of everyone [during the Marathon des Sables]. I can can highly recommend this sleeping bag, I wish I'd had one years ago." — Mary Hawarth.

"Perfect on the colder nights of the Marathon des Sables without any base layer or liner ... it's a real plush bag and very comfortable." — Ian Corless.

"Perfect for what I needed on the Marathon des Sables. Compact, lightweight and very comfortable." — Leigh Michelmore.

"Super warm ... Fitted in my small pack perfectly and very light. I would definately recommend it to others." — Mat Needham.

* Please note: we make our stuff sacs big enough to allow fairly easy stuffing rather than reducing the down gear to the tightest minimum.

Description

Part of the Desert Race Collection, designed with desert racing in mind. In the MdS 40°C race days can give way to 4°C nights in which warmth plays a vital role in recovery for the next day's challenge. Maximising these item's warmth/weight ratio has been central to developing this collection, to meet the needs of both elite competitors and those who simply want to finish.

The Desert Race Two has been developed especially for the Marathon des Sables and is an evolution of our popular Racebag design. It uses our new 7X (7 denier) fabric, our lightest-ever, and our exceptional 950 fillpower down. The design combines box-wall construction (which helps the down to achieve maximum loft) on the top of the bag, and stitch-through construction (to reduce weight) in the base. The Desert Race One is one of the lightest sleeping bags in the world: a serious option for racers in the Marathon des Sables looking to shave every gram.

New for 2016/7: a footzip option to allow air circulation around the feet.

The Race Stuff Sac is a race-specific Stuff Sac with attachment points to strap to the outside of a rucksack. It can be purchased separately or added to your order as an option.

As used by Ed Stafford.

Only available until 31st March.

Technical

Ultralight 7X fabric (weight: 22 gsm)

7X is our new sheer-light 7 denier fabric. An exquisitely fine rip-stop nylon, 7X is incredibly light, highly wind-resistant and has first-rate down proofing. This fabric helps us create the very lightest of gear in the PHD range. Of course the lighter the fabric the lighter the sleeping bag or down clothing, and the less space it takes up in your rucksack. This fabric is so light it actually helps to allow even greater lofting of the down too.
Order samples of this fabric & just pay the postage.

950 Fillpower Down

A newcomer to our range. European goose of rare quality. A high value alternative at the top levels of performance.
More on our down insulation.

Construction

This bag has an insulating straight wall baffle system on top (no straight-through stitching). Straight wall is the lightest of all baffle sytems. In cross section it looks like this:On the bottom stitch-through seams are used to minimise weight. More on sleeping bag construction.

Sizing

Lightweight Sleeping Bags Sizes

The measurements in the tables below are personal body measurements.

Length

Height

Short

168cm and below (5' 6" and below)

Standard

169 - 184cm (5' 7" - 6')

Long

185 - 201cm (6' 1" - 6' 7")

Extra Long

202 - 213cm (6' 8" - 7')

Width

Chest

Slim

78 - 92cm (31" - 36")

Standard

93 - 107cm (37" - 42")

Wide

108 - 125cm (43" - 49")

Extra Wide

126 - 142cm (50" - 56")

Reviews

Specific feedback on the Desert Race Two:

"Thanks for reaching out! I was overall extremely happy with the bag. Warmth worked super well for me, was never really cold (really closing the hood tight provided tons of extra protection from wind and in the end warmth) Outer material held up very well, no tears no problems at all. Overall super comfortable."
— Jurgen Eckel (2017 MdS competitor).

"I found the bag worked extremely well. The fit was brilliant no issues moving around in the bag, the foot zip helped add some additional ventilation on the really warm nights."
— Gaz Roberts (2017 MdS competitor).

"The Desert Race Bag was perfect. There is nothing I would change. It was extremely light but warm and very easy to stuff into whatever space was available in my pack. My only mistake was leaving it too late to purchase a jacket from you as well!!"— Rob Eustace (2017 MdS competitor).

"The bag was great. Weight and warmth were spot on. I think also I would in future opt for a half zip, as when it was hot it was a pain to have to shift halfway out of the bag."
— John Samuelson (2017 MdS competitor).

"The bags worked great thanks! The weight to heat ratio was excellent. Others with [other brand] bags were really cold in comparison. Good durability. I'd highly recommend the bags to others!"
— Michelle Smith (2017 MdS competitor).

"If anything, it was too warm! Others in my tent were complaining about the cold. Fabric held up well, despite dragging the foot box on the stony ground on occasion at nights when I shuffled down the tent. I had the elongated stuff sack which worked well - was very secure strapped to the bottom of my pack & I never worried about losing it. Excellent kit - well thought out & made."
— Andrew Bond (2017 MdS competitor).

Testimonials from PHD Customers on the Marathon des Sables using PHD sleeping bags:

"A quick note to say how impressive my PHD bag was in the Sahara on this year's Marathon des Sables. Quite simply the best piece of kit I've ever bought. Temperature with wind got below 5 Celsius and the bag handled it so well that I slept in the buff every-night! Many, many thanks."
— Ben Buckle.

"I would, without a doubt, use the PHD bag again. Quite simply, I don't think there's a better bag on the market for warm weather stage racing."
— Bryon Powell -- member of 1st American team to place in top 3 of the Marathon des Sables.

"The bag was great for Marathon des Sables and I was 8th overall and the best finish ever by an American (or English speaker from what I hear). Anyhow, I loved the bag and will recommend it." — Michael Wardian.

"Just to let you know that I finished the Marathon des Sables. As you know i bought your down sleeping bag, which was for sure the lightest in the whole race !!! and also during the nights i never feel cold !!! IT IS THE BEST PRODUCT I COULD EVER BOUGHT !!!! One more time ! THANKS THANKS THANKS.... YOU ARE THE BEST !!!"
— Miguel Vingardi.

"I have recently returned from successful completion of Marathon des Sables. Have to say I loved my PHD sleeping bag, great design, incredibly lightweight. I hate being cold and was worried about getting a good nights sleep in the desert - my PHD was like a comfort blanket, slept well at just the
right temperature. Can thoroughly recommend."
— Michaela McCallum.

"Thanks again for . . . the sleeping bag and [the] help I received from your staff in picking the right bag. The PHD bag was both light and very warm - just the thing for a multi-day event with desert nights [the Marathon des Sables - ed]." — Dr Ben Edwards, Senior lecturer, Research Institute for Sport, Liverpool John Moores University.

"I have been extremely impressed with this bag especially its lightness [it] was the envy of everyone [during the Marathon des Sables]. I can can highly recommend this sleeping bag, I wish I'd had one years ago." — Mary Hawarth.

"Perfect on the colder nights of the Marathon des Sables without any base layer or liner ... it's a real plush bag and very comfortable." — Ian Corless.

"Perfect for what I needed on the Marathon des Sables. Compact, lightweight and very comfortable." — Leigh Michelmore.

"Super warm ... Fitted in my small pack perfectly and very light. I would definately recommend it to others." — Mat Needham.